Snowmobile ski bumper and methods for using same

ABSTRACT

A replacement bumper for a snowmobile ski is provided and methods for using the same. The replacement bumper has an abutment surface that makes contact with a spindle of a snowmobile in order to increase the contact surface area of a rear portion of a snowmobile ski and the ground and/or increase the weight being distributed on the rear portion of the snowmobile ski, which prevents the darting or tracking of the snowmobile ski. Also, includes is a method for removing an OEM bumper from a snowmobile ski assembly and installing a replacement bumper into said snowmobile ski assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to improving the steerability of asnowmobile and reducing the problem of snowmobile ski darting andtracking, and in particular to the replacement of the snowmobile skibumpers placed between the spindle and skis of a snowmobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Darting occurs in snowmobiles when the front end of a snowmobiles ski orcarbide digs into a rut in the snow and causes the snowmobile ski tomove in the direction of the rut. Often times, the direction of the rutwill be in a different path than intended by the user of the snowmobile,which is what causes the snowmobile to “dart” off path.

Darting in an unintended path can be very dangerous as it can causeaccidents with stationary objects such as a tree, or other snowmobilesin the vicinity, or simply cause the rider to fly off the snowmobile.

Further, some modern snowmobiles are capable of reaching speeds inexcess of 90 mph in certain conditions. At such high speeds, if thesnowmobile were to dart off path, it may be impossible for the driver toright the direction of the snowmobile before hitting an object, person,or snowmobile, which, at such high speeds, can cause catastrophicinjuries to the snowmobiler or any bystanders in the vicinity.

Darting is a well-known problem in the snowmobile industry and aplethora of skis, carbides, studs, etc. have been brought to market thatclaim to prevent darting. However, replacing or upgrading the skis,carbides, studs, etc. of a snowmobile can be expensive and timeconsuming. Further, many of the parts brought to market only partiallyor temporarily fix the snowmobiles darting problems.

One component that has not been designed or manufactured in order toprevent darting is the bumpers that are placed between the skis and thespindles of the snowmobile.

The bumpers produced today all follow the specifications of the bumpersthat were produced by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (“OEM”) andincluded as components of the snowmobile during the manufacturer of thesnowmobile by the OEM's.

A list of some of the OEM's that have designed bumpers for thesnowmobiles that they produce includes, but is not limited to, ArcticCat, Ski-Doo, Polaris, Yamaha, etc.

In addition to the bumpers produced by the OEM's, there exists asecondary market for bumpers. Some of the manufacturers in the secondarybumper market includes Kimpex, Qualipieces, Roetin, Snow-Stuff,Snowtracker, USI, Stud Boy, and Woody's.

However, the bumpers being produced by the secondary marketmanufacturers are being made according to the same exact specificationsof the OEM bumpers that they are intended to replace.

Thus, the snowmobile industry has not considered the important role thedesign of the bumper can play in preventing the darting of a snowmobiledue to the bumper's interaction between both the ski and the spindle ofthe snowmobile.

As such, there is a need for a replacement bumper designed to interactwith the ski and spindle of a snowmobile in order to prevent the dartingof the snowmobile.

The invention provides a replacement bumper that is relatively cheap toproduce, improves the steerability of the snowmobile by reducing dartingor tracking, as well as a method for easily and efficiently replacingOEM bumpers with said replacement bumpers. These and other advantages ofthe invention, as well as additional inventive features, will beapparent from the description of the invention provided herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a method of adjusting the orientation of a snowmobile skiis provided. The snowmobile ski having a front end and a rear end, andmounted to a spindle at a pivot axis between the rear end and front endof the ski. The method including removing a OEM bumper positionedbetween a free end of the spindle and a ski body of the snowmobile ski.The OEM bumper having a first abutment portion positioned between therear end of the ski and the pivot axis prior to removing the OEM bumperthat contacts the spindle. The front end and rear end of the ski havinga first orientation when the first abutment portion contacts thespindle.

The method also including installing a replacement bumper positionedbetween the free end of the spindle and the ski body of the ski. Thereplacement bumper having a second abutment portion positioned betweenthe rear end of the ski and the pivot axis when installed that contactsthe spindle. The front end and rear end of the ski having a secondorientation when the second abutment portion contacts the spindle.

The method where the ski has less weight distributed on the front end ofthe ski in the second orientation than the first orientation and the skihaving more weight distributed on the rear end of the ski in the secondorientation than the first orientation.

In yet another aspect, the method where the ski body has a bumpermounting surface on which a first mounting surface of the OEM bumperrests when installed. The first abutment portion defining a firstcontact surface that contacts the spindle at a location between the rearend of the ski and the pivot axis. The first contact surface beingspaced a first distance from the first mounting surface.

The replacement bumper having a second mounting surface which rests onthe bumper mounting surface when installed, the second abutment portiondefining a second contact surface that contacts the spindle at alocation between the rear end of the ski and the pivot axis wheninstalled. The second contact surface being spaced a second distancefrom the second mounting surface and the second distance being greaterthan the first distance.

In yet another aspect, the replacement bumper is made from polyurethane.

In yet another aspect, the instillation of the replacement bumper willchange the weight distribution from the front end of the ski to the rearend of the ski by 1 to 100%.

In yet another aspect, the replacement bumper has a maximum heightrelative to a top of the ski when it is installed in the ski that isgreater than a maximum height of the OEM bumper relative to the top ofthe ski when it is installed in the ski.

In yet another aspect, the maximum height of the replacement bumper isbetween 0.1 inches and 0.5 inches greater than the maximum height of theOEM bumper.

In yet another aspect, the pivot axis is provided by a spindle boltpassing through an opening in the spindle and a first and second openingin the ski.

In yet another aspect, the spindle bolt has a lock that mechanicallycouples the spindle and the ski.

In yet another aspect, the ski can still rotate about the pivot axisafter being mechanically coupled to the spindle.

In another aspect according to the present application, a method ofadjusting the orientation of a snowmobile ski is provided. Thesnowmobile ski having a front end and a rear end and mounted to aspindle at a pivot axis between the rear end and front end of the ski.The method including removing a first bumper positioned between thespindle and a top surface of a ski. The first bumper having a firstabutment surface that prior to removing the first bumper contacts thespindle. The ski having a first orientation relative to a planar groundsurface when the first abutment surface contacts the spindle.

The method further including installing a second bumper positionedbetween the spindle and a top surface of the ski. The second bumperhaving a second abutment surface that when installed contacts thespindle and the ski having a second orientation relative the groundsurface when the second abutment surface contacts the spindle.

In yet another aspect, the second orientation at the front end of theski is further from the ground than in the first orientation.

In yet another aspect, the second orientation a rear end of the ski iscloser to the ground than in the first orientation.

In yet another aspect, the pivot axis is provided by an axis of rotationof a spindle bolt.

In yet another aspect, the method includes inserting a spindle bolt intoan opening of the ski and an opening of the spindle after theinstallation of the second bumper to mechanically couple the ski to thespindle.

In another aspect according to the present application a method ofadjusting the orientation of a snowmobile ski is provided. Thesnowmobile ski having a front end and a rear end and being mounted to aspindle at a pivot axis between the rear end and front end of the ski.

The method including removing a OEM bumper positioned between a free endof the spindle and a ski body of the snowmobile ski. The OEM bumperhaving a first abutment portion positioned between the rear end of theski and the pivot axis prior to removing the OEM bumper that contactsthe spindle. The ski having a first orientation wherein the front end ofthe ski has a first angle relative to the planar ground and the rear endof the ski has a first angle relative to the planar ground.

The method further including installing a replacement bumper positionedbetween the free end of the spindle and the ski body of the ski. Thereplacement bumper having a second abutment portion positioned betweenthe rear end of the ski and the pivot axis when installed that contactsthe spindle. The ski having a second orientation wherein the front endof the ski has a second angle relative to the planar ground and the rearend of the ski has a second angle relative to the planar ground.

The second orientation the angle between the front end of the ski andthe planar ground is greater than in the first orientation and the firstorientation angle between the rear end of the ski and the planar groundis greater than in the second orientation.

In yet another aspect, the ski body has a bumper mounting surface onwhich a first mounting surface of the OEM bumper rests when installed.The first abutment portion defining a first contact surface thatcontacts the spindle at a location between the rear end of the ski andthe pivot axis. The first contact surface being oriented at a firstangle relative to the mounting surface.

The replacement bumper having a second mounting surface which rests onthe bumper mounting surface when installed. The second abutment portiondefining a second contact surface that contacts the spindle at alocation between the rear end of the ski and the pivot axis wheninstalled. The second contact surface being oriented at a second anglerelative to the mounting surface and where the second angle is less thanthe first angle.

In yet another aspect, the instillation of the replacement bumperchanges an orientation between the front end of the ski and the rear endof the ski by between 1 and 45 degrees.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a snowmobile ski assembly having anOEM snowmobile ski bumper;

FIG. 1B is a close up cross-sectional view of the snowmobile skiassembly of FIG. 1A showing the interaction between the spindle bolt,spindle, and OEM bumper of the snowmobile ski assembly;

FIG. 2A is a cross-section view of a snowmobile ski assembly having areplacement snowmobile ski bumper according to one embodiment of thepresent application;

FIG. 2B is a close up cross-sectional view of the snowmobile skiassembly of FIG. 2A showing the interaction between the spindle bolt,spindle, and replacement bumper of the snowmobile ski assembly;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a OEM snowmobile ski bumper and a replacementsnowmobile ski bumper according to one embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a replacementsnowmobile ski bumper according to one embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the replacement snowmobile ski bumper of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a replacementsnowmobile ski bumper according to one embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the replacement snowmobile ski bumper of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a replacementsnowmobile ski bumper according to one embodiment of the presentapplication; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the replacement snowmobile ski bumper of FIG.8.

While the invention will be described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to thoseembodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A is a cross-section of a snowmobile ski assembly 12 (hereinafter“ski assembly 12”) and FIG. 1B is a close up view of the ski assemblyillustrated in FIG. 1A.

As FIGS. 1A-1B are cross-sectional views, only one side of the skiassembly 12 is illustrated. However, it will be understood that theopposite side of the ski assembly 12 will have features that areidentical to those illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B.

The ski assembly 12 includes a ski 14, a spindle 13, and an OEM bumper10.

The ski 14 has a top surface 15 and a bottom surface 17. Projecting fromthe top surface 15 is a sidewall 16 that includes an opening 18 thatallows for the passage of a spindle bolt 19. While only one sidewall 16is shown, typically a second sidewall 16 will be provided forming a gaptherebetween that receives the end of the spindle 13.

The top surface 15 and the sidewalls 16 define a bumper pocket 11 of theski 14. As illustrated, the OEM bumper 10 is placed within the bumperpocket 11, such that the OEM bumper 10 rests against and abuts the topsurface 15 of the ski 14 within the bumper pocket 11. Alternatively, anintervening saddle may be located between the sidewalls 16 and thespindle 13.

The spindle 13 has a coupling portion 26 and a neck portion 28 thatextends from the coupling portion 26. The coupling portion 26 includesan opening 27 that extends through the coupling portion 26 and receivesthe spindle bolt 19.

The spindle 13 also includes a first leg portion 36 and a second legportion 37. As illustrated, the coupling portion 26 of the spindle 13abuts against a spindle receptacle 113 of the OEM bumper 10 (see FIG.7), the first leg portion 36 abuts against a front surface 108′ of theOEM bumper 10 (see FIG. 7), and the second leg portion 37 abuts againsta rear surface 110′ of the OEM bumper 10 (see FIG. 3).

The shape of the spindle 13 and particularly the first leg portion 36and the second leg portion 37 is such that after the spindle bolt 19 hasbeen inserted into the ski 14 and the spindle 13, the ski 14 is stillcapable of partially rotating about the axis of rotation 29 of thespindle bolt 19 in a first direction 30 where the front tip 21 of theski 14 is moved closer to the ground 23 and a second direction 31 wherethe rear tip 22 of the ski 14 is lowered closer to the ground 23.

As will be understood, the front tip 21 and the rear tip 22 of the ski14 have an inverse rotational relationship about the axis of rotation 29of the spindle bolt 19.

For example, as the front tip 21 of the ski 14 is moved in a direction32 closer to the ground 23 the rear tip 22 of the ski 14 will move in adirection 33 further away from the ground 23.

Likewise, as the rear tip 22 of the ski 14 is moved in a direction 34closer to the ground 23 the front tip 21 of the ski 14 will move in adirection 35 further away from the ground 23.

As illustrated, when the ski assembly 12 is resting in its naturalposition with the OEM bumper 10 installed, the front tip 21 of the ski14 is a distance D1 from the ground 23 and the rear tip 22 of the ski 14is a distance D2 from the ground 23.

As previously discussed, when the ski 14 is mechanically coupled to thespindle 13 via the spindle bolt 19, the front tip 21 of the ski 14 and aback tip 22 of the ski 14 have an inverse rotational relationship.Therefore, as the distance D1 increases, the distance D2 decreases andvice versa.

As will be understood, as the distance D1 increases, less of the frontportion 24 of the ski 14 is in contact with the ground 23 while more ofthe rear portion 25 of the ski 14 makes contact with the ground 23.

Likewise, as the distance D2 increases, less of the rear portion 25 ofthe ski 14 is in contact with the ground 23 and more of the frontportion 24 of the ski 14 makes contact with the ground 23.

Therefore, to prevent darting, it has been determined that it isimportant to prevent the front portion 24 of the ski 14 digging into arut while having the rear portion 25 of the ski 14 in contact with theground 23 in order to correct any darting originating from the frontportion 24 of the ski 14. This allows the ski to travel over the rutrather than digging into the rut.

More particularly, the best way to prevent darting in a ski 14 is todecrease the contact surface area between the front portion 24 of theski 14 and the ground 23, which is where darting occurs due to the frontportion 24 of the ski 14 hitting a rut in the snow, and to increase thecontact surface area between the rear portion 25 of the ski 14 and theground 23, which is the portion of the ski 14 that acts to correct thedarting at the front portion 24 of the ski 14.

As will be discussed below, the replacement bumpers 20, 112, 128, and144 described herein prevent darting in the same ski assembly 12 oftheir OEM bumper 10 counterparts by making contact with the spindle 13such that the front portion 24 of the ski 14 makes less contact with theground 23 and the rear portion 25 of the ski 14 makes more contact withthe ground 23 than if the same ski assembly 12 was utilizing acorresponding OEM bumper 10.

Turning to FIGS. 2A-2B, the ski assembly 12 in FIGS. 1A-1B isillustrated with the exception that the OEM bumper 10 has been removedand replaced with a replacement or second bumper 20 according to oneaspect of the present application.

As illustrated, in schematic form with exaggeration for illustrationpurposes replacing the OEM bumper 10 with the replacement bumper 20causes the position of the ski 14 to be rotated in the second direction31 about the axis of rotation 29 due to the interaction of the first legportion 36 and a second leg portion 37 of the spindle 13 with the frontsurface 108 and the rear surface 110 of the replacement bumper 20 (seeFIG. 3). This changes the orientation or down pressure of the ski 14relative to the ground 23.

While illustrated as having a different orientation to the ground 23,the ski 14 may actually have the same orientation relative to the ground23 if the bumper 20 is compressed. However, the bumper 20 will adjustthe down pressure applied by the front portion 24 and rear portion 25 ofthe ski 14 to shift the increased down pressure and toward the rearportion 25 of the ski 14.

As can be seen, the rotation of the ski 14 in the second direction 31about the axis of rotation 29 is due to the front portion 36 and rearportion 37 of the spindle 13 abutting against the different frontsurface 108 and the rear surface 110 of the replacement bumper 20, whichare differently oriented/sized/shaped than in the OEM bumper 10.

With the replacement bumper 20 installed, the front tip 21 of the ski 14is now a distance D3 from the ground 23 and the rear tip 22 of the ski14 is now a distance D4 from the ground 23 due to front portion 36 andthe rear portion 37 of the spindle 13 abutting against the more angledfront surface 108 and rear surface 110 of the replacement bumper 20. Inthis instance D3 is greater than D1 and D4 is less than D2 (see FIG. 3).

Again, as discussed above, when the distance D3 increases the distanceD4 decreases and vice versa.

Therefore, when the replacement bumper 20 is installed in the skiassembly 12, the distance D3 increases, causing less of the frontportion 24 of the ski 14 to be in contact with the ground 23 and thedistance D4 decreases, causing more of the rear portion 25 of the ski 14to be in contact with the ground 23.

As discussed above, to prevent darting, due to the shape andconfiguration at surface 108, 110 of replacement bumper 20 relative tosurface 108′. 110′ of the OEM bumper 10, it is desirable to increase thecontact surface area between the rear portion 25 of the ski 14 and theground 23 while also decreasing the contact surface area between thefront portion 24 of the ski and the ground 23.

Turning to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, the distance D1 illustrated in FIG. 1with the OEM bumper 10 installed is less than the distance D3 of FIG. 2Awith the replacement bumper 20 installed.

Likewise, the distance D2 illustrated in FIG. 1A is greater than thedistance D4 illustrated in FIG. 2A with the replacement bumper 20installed.

Therefore, replacing the OEM bumper 10 with the replacement bumper 20causes more of the rear portion 25 of the ski 14 to contact the ground23 and less of the front portion 24 of the ski 14 to contact the ground23.

Thus, replacing the OEM bumper 10 with the replacement bumper 20 createsmore surface contact area between the rear portion 25 of the ski 14 andthe ground 23, which prevents darting in snowmobile skis, by creatingless contact surface area between the front portion 25 of the ski 14 andthe ground, which causes darting of snowmobile skis.

Thus, removing an OEM bumper 10 from a ski assembly 12, as illustratedin FIGS. 1A-1B, and installing a corresponding replacement bumper 20 inthe same ski assembly 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2A-2B, results in a ski14 with altered contact surface points with the ground 23 that are idealfor preventing the ski 14 from darting during use.

Turning to FIG. 3 illustrating a side view of the replacement bumper 20laid over the OEM bumper 10.

As illustrated, the OEM bumper 10 has a top surface 100′, a bottomsurface 102, front wall 104′, a rear wall 106′. Likewise, thereplacement bumper 20 has a top surface 100, a bottom surface 102, afront wall 104 and a rear wall 106.

The top surface 100′ of the OEM bumper 10 has a front surface 108′, aspindle pocket surface 109′, and a rear surface 110′. Likewise, thereplacement bumper 20 also has a front surface 108, a spindle pocketsurface 109′, and rear surface 110′.

The front surface 108 of the replacement bumper 20 has a maximum heightrepresented by D9 and the front surface 108′ of the OEM bumper 10 has amaximum height represented by D10. As illustrated, the maximum height D9of the front surface 108 of the replacement bumper 20 is less than themaximum height D10 of the front surface 108′ of the OEM bumper 10.Further, front surface 108 has an angle α1 relative to bottom surface102 that is less than angle α2 defined by the front surface 108′ ofbottom surface 102′.

The spindle pocket surface 109 of the replacement bumper 20 and thespindle pocket surface 109′ of the OEM bumper 10 make up the respectivespindle receptacles 113′, 113 of the OEM bumper 10 and the replacementbumper 20.

The respective spindle receptacles 113′, 113 of the OEM bumper 10 andthe replacement bumper 20 are the portion of the OEM bumper 10 and thereplacement bumper 20 where the coupling portion 26 of the spindle 13make contact with and abut the OEM bumper 10 and the replacement bumper20 (see FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B).

As the same spindle 13 is used with both the OEM bumper 10 and thereplacement bumper 20, the respective spindle receptacle 113′, 113 havevery similar shapes to both accommodate and allow rotation of thecoupling portion 26 of the spindle 13 (see FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B).However, the spindle receptacles 113′, 113 have different orientationsrelative to the corresponding bottom surfaces 102′, 102 with some slightvariations.

Turning back to FIG. 3, the spindle pocket surface 109 of thereplacement bumper 20 has a maximum height represented by D5 and thespindle pocket surface 109′ of the OEM bumper 10 has a maximum heightrepresented by D6. As illustrated, the maximum height D6 of the spindlepocket surface 109 of the replacement bumper 20 is greater than themaximum height D5 of the spindle pocket surface 109′ of the OEM bumper10.

Next, the rear surface 110 of the replacement bumper 20 has a maximumheight represented by D8 and the rear surface 110′ of the OEM bumper 10has a maximum height represented by D7. As illustrated, the maximumheight D8 of the rear surface 110 of the replacement bumper 20 isgreater than the maximum height D7 of the rear surface 110′ of the OEMbumper 10.

Further, the rear surface 110 has an angle α3 relative to bottom surface102 that is greater than angle α4 defined by the rear surface 110′relative to bottom surface 102′.

As will be understood, the rear surface 110 of the replacement bumper 20has a greater maximum height D8 than the maximum height D7 of the rearsurface 110′ of the OEM bumper 10 because the rear surface 110 of thereplacement bumper 20 is the portion of the replacement bumper 20 thatprevents the over rotation of the spindle 13 in the first direction 30about the axis of rotation 29 of the spindle bolt 19 (see FIGS. 2A-2B).

As previously discussed, this prevents too much of the front portion 24of the ski 14 from contacting the ground 23 while also causing more ofthe rear portion 25 of the ski 14 to contact the ground 23 during use,which is the ideal situation for a ski 14 if you want to prevent the ski14 from darting during use with a snowmobile.

As is also illustrated, the OEM bumper 10 and the replacement bumper 20have corresponding notches 111′, 111 along their respective bottomsurfaces 102′, 102.

As will be understood, these notches 111′, 111 fit with correspondingprojections in the bumper pocket 11 along the top surface 15 of the ski14. The corresponding projections along the top surface 15 of the ski 14help to align and/or secure the OEM bumper 10 and/or replacement bumper20 along the top surface 15 of the ski 14 during the installation of theOEM bumper 10 and/or replacement bumper 20 in the ski assembly 12 (seeFIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B).

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating another embodiment of areplacement bumper 112 according to one aspect of the presentapplication. The replacement bumper 112 can be used to replace, but isnot limited to replacing, an OEM bumper designed to be used with Ski-Doosnowmobiles.

As illustrated, the replacement bumper 112 has a top surface 117 and abottom surface 116, a front end wall 118, a rear end wall 120, a firstsidewall 119 and a second sidewall 121.

The top surface 117 has a front surface 122, a spindle pocket surface124, and an abutment surface 126. The front surface 122 is generallyparallel to bottom surface 116 and located adjacent the front end wall118 of the replacement bumper 112.

The spindle pocket surface 124 is concave like in the other embodimentsand defines a spindle receptacle 125. When the replacement bumper 112 isbeing used in a ski assembly 12 the coupling member 26 of the spindle 13will abut against the spindle pocket surface 124 that defines thespindle receptacle 125.

The top surface 117 also has an abutment surface 126 that increases inheight between the spindle pocket surface 124 and the rear end wall 120.

After installing the replacement bumper 112 in a snowmobile ski assembly12 the abutment surface 126 of the replacement bumper 112 will abutagainst the neck portion 28 of the spindle 13. The contact made betweenthe abutment surface 126 and the neck portion 28 will force rotation ofthe ski 14 in the second direction 31 compared to an OEM bumper 10 andresult in a decrease in the contact surface area between the frontportion 24 of the ski 14 and the ground 23 relative to the OEM bumperbeing replaced while also increasing and the contact surface areabetween the rear portion 25 of the ski 14 and the ground 23 relative tothe OEM bumper being replaced.

Also illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is the tiered/stepped bottom surface116 of the replacement bumper 112 that also includes notches 123. Aswill be understood, the notches 123 fit with corresponding projectionsand the tiered bottom surface fit with corresponding depressions orprojections in the bumper pocket 11 along the top surface 15 of thecorresponding ski 14 that the replacement bumper 112 is designed to beused with.

As discussed above, the corresponding projections and/or depressionsalong the top surface 15 of the ski 14 help to align and/or secure thereplacement bumper 112 along the top surface 15 of the ski 14 that thereplacement bumper 112 is designed to be used with during theinstillation of the replacement bumper 112 within the its correspondingski assembly 12.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrating another embodiment of areplacement bumper 128 according to one aspect of the presentapplication. The replacement bumper 128 can be used to replace, but isnot limited to replacing, an OEM bumper designed for use with Ski-Doosnowmobiles.

As illustrated, the replacement bumper 128 has a top surface 130 and abottom surface 132. The top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132 aredefined in a first direction by a front end wall 134 and a rear end wall136 and in a second direction by a first side wall 129 and a second sidewall 131.

The top surface 130 has a front surface 138, a spindle pocket surface140, and an abutment surface 142. The front surface 138 being flat andlocated adjacent the front end wall 134 of the replacement bumper 128.The spindle pocket surface 140 being concave and defining a spindlereceptacle 135. The abutment surface 142 increasing in height as ittapers away from the spindle pocket surface 140 to create and angledsurface that terminates at the rear end wall 136 of the replacementbumper 128.

The bottom surface 132 being tiered and having notches 133. As discussedabove relative to FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom surface being tiered andhaving notches 133 fit with corresponding projections and the tieredbottom surface fit with corresponding depressions or projections in thebumper pocket 11 along the top surface 15 of the corresponding ski 14that the replacement bumper 128 is designed to be used with.

Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrating another embodiment of areplacement bumper 144 according to one aspect of the presentapplication. The replacement bumper 144 can be used to replace, but isnot limited to replacing, an OEM bumper designed for use with Polarissnowmobiles.

As illustrated, the replacement bumper 144 has a top surface 146 and abottom surface 148. The top surface 146 and the bottom surface 148 aredefined in a first direction by a front end wall 150 and a rear end wall152 and in a second direction by a first side wall 149 and a second sidewall 151.

The top surface 146 having a front surface 154, a spindle pocket surface156, and an abutment surface 158. The front surface 154 having a greaterheight closer to the front end wall 150 than adjacent the spindle pocketsurface 156 to create a surface that is angled in a downward directionfrom the front end wall 150 to the spindle pocket surface 156. Thespindle pocket surface 156 being concave and defining a spindlereceptacle 155. The abutment surface 158 increasing in height betweenthe spindle pocket surface 156 and the rear end wall 152 that creates asurface that is angled and has a maximum height as it terminatesadjacent the rear end wall 152.

As illustrated, the replacement bumper 144 has a bottom surface 148 thatis flat or does not include tiers or notches, such as the replacementbumpers 112, 128 that are illustrated in FIGS. 4-7.

As will be understood, replacement bumpers having a flat bottom surfacemay be notched or tiered and replacement bumpers having a notched ortiered bottom surface may be flat in order to adjust for the variety ofsnowmobile ski assemblies 12 that the replacement bumpers designedaccording to the principles of this application may be designed to beused with.

OEM bumpers 10 are typically made from a soft rubber material, whichcauses the OEM bumpers 10 to wear over time due to the constant pressureand contact between the OEM bumper 10 and the ski 14 and the OEM bumper10 and the spindle 13. Therefore, OEM bumpers 10 made of soft rubbermaterial will typically deform relatively quickly, which requires theuser to continuously replace the OEM bumpers 10 on their snowmobile.

The replacement bumpers 20, 112, 128, and 144 described herein can bemade from any suitable material that is strong and resilient, such as,but not limited to, any type of elastomeric material, elastomer,polymer, or rubber.

In a preferred embodiment, the replacement bumpers 20, 112, 128, and 144are made of polyurethane, which is a strong and resilient material, thatis well designed to handle the pressure and contact between thereplacement bumpers 20, 112, 128, and 144 and the ski 14 and thereplacement bumpers 20, 112, 128, and 144 and the spindle 13 during use,which typically will mean a user will not need to replace thereplacement bumpers 20, 112, 128, and 144 as OEM bumpers 10 made from asoft rubber material.

Turning back to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B a method of replacing an OEMbumper 10 with a replacement bumper 20 in a ski assembly will bedescribed. In a ski assembly 12 using an OEM bumper 10, the OEM bumper10 will be between the top surface 15 of the ski 14 and the couplingportion 26 of the spindle 13. The spindle bolt 19 will be insertedthrough the first opening 18 in the first sidewall 16 of the ski 14,through the opening 27 of the coupling portion 26 of the spindle 13, andthen through the second opening 18 in the second sidewall 16 of the ski14.

Typically, the spindle bolt 19 will be locked in place to prevent thespindle bolt 19 from dislodging from the first or second opening 18 ofthe ski 14 or the opening 27 of the coupling portion 26 of the spindle13.

Therefore, to remove the OEM bumper 10 from the ski assembly 12, theuser must first unlock the spindle bolt 19 and then slide the spindlebolt 19 so that it is no longer inserted into the first or secondopening 18 of the sidewalls 16 of the ski 14 or the opening 27 of thecoupling portion 26 of the spindle 13. This will release the mechanicalcoupling between the spindle 13 and the ski 14 and will allow for theremoval of the ski 14 from the spindle 13.

After removing the ski 14 from the spindle 13, the OEM bumper 10 can beremoved from the bumper pocket 11 of the ski 14 and replaced with acorresponding replacement bumper 20.

Once the replacement bumper 20 is in place in the bumper pocket 11 ofthe ski 14, then the spindle 13 is placed against the replacement bumper20, such that the coupling portion 26 of the spindle 13 rests againstthe replacement bumper 20 and the opening 27 of the coupling portion 26of the spindle 13 is aligned with the openings 18 in the first andsecond sidewalls 16 of the ski 14.

After aligning the opening 27 of the coupling portion 26 of the spindle13 with the openings 18 formed in the sidewalls 16 of the ski 14, thespindle bolt 19 is inserted through the opening 18 of the first sidewall16 of the ski 14. Then the spindle bolt 19 is inserted through theopening 27 formed in the coupling portion 26 of the spindle 13. Then thespindle bolt 19 is inserted through the opening 18 in the secondsidewall 16 of the ski 14.

Finally, the spindle bolt 19 is locked to prevent the spindle bolt 19from dislodging from the opening 18 of the first or second sidewall 16of the ski 14 and/or the opening 27 of the coupling portion 26 of thespindle 13. Attaching the replacement bumper 20 to the ski 14 willchange the orientation of the ski 14 relative to the spindle 13 and theground 23.

As will be understood, different snowmobiles have different skis,spindles, and spindle bolts. Therefore, the embodiment of the method forremoving an OEM bumper 10 and installing a replacement bumper 20 is notmeant to be limited to a ski assembly 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1Band 2A-2B.

Indeed, it is envisioned that the principles of the replacement bumpersdisclosed herein and the method for removing OEM bumpers and installingsuch a replacement bumper can be used to replace any OEM bumper designused with any type of ski assembly design.

While described above as causing the ski 14 to rotate relative to axis29, in some embodiments the ski 14 may have the same orientationrelative to the ground 23, when resting on the ground 23, after thereplacement bumper 20 has been installed. However, a portion of thereplacement bumper 20, such as the rear surface 110 will be compressedto a greater extent creating increased force between the spindle 13 andthe rear portion 25 of the ski 14, which will cause an increased downpressure at the rear portion 25 of the ski 14.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patentscited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each reference were individually and specifically indicated to beincorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of adjusting the orientation of asnowmobile ski, the snowmobile ski having a front end and a rear end,the snowmobile ski being mounted to a spindle at a pivot axis betweenthe rear end and front end of the ski, the method comprising: removing aOEM bumper positioned between a free end of the spindle and a ski bodyof the snowmobile ski, the OEM bumper having a first abutment portionpositioned between the rear end of the ski and the pivot axis prior toremoving the OEM bumper that contacts the spindle, the front end andrear end of the ski having a first orientation when the first abutmentportion contacts the spindle; installing a replacement bumper positionedbetween the free end of the spindle and the ski body of the ski, thereplacement bumper having a second abutment portion positioned betweenthe rear end of the ski and the pivot axis when installed that contactsthe spindle, the front end and rear end of the ski having a secondorientation when the second abutment portion contacts the spindle; andwherein the ski having less weight distributed on the front end of theski in the second orientation than the first orientation and the skihaving more weight distributed on the rear end of the ski in the secondorientation than the first orientation.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein: the ski body has a bumper mounting surface on which a firstmounting surface of the OEM bumper rests when installed, the firstabutment portion defining a first contact surface that contacts thespindle at a location between the rear end of the ski and the pivotaxis, the first contact surface being spaced a first distance from thefirst mounting surface; the replacement bumper having a second mountingsurface which rests on the bumper mounting surface when installed, thesecond abutment portion defining a second contact surface that contactsthe spindle at a location between the rear end of the ski and the pivotaxis when installed, the second contact surface being spaced a seconddistance from the second mounting surface, the second distance beinggreater than the first distance.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thereplacement bumper is made from polyurethane.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the instillation of the replacement bumper changes the weightdistribution from the front end of the ski to the rear end of the ski by1 to 100%.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the replacement bumper hasa maximum height relative to a top of the ski when it is installed inthe ski that is greater than a maximum height of the OEM bumper relativeto the top of the ski when it is installed in the ski.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the maximum height of the replacement bumper is between0.1 inches and 0.5 inches greater than the maximum height of the OEMbumper.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is provided bya spindle bolt passing through an opening in the spindle and a first andsecond opening in the ski.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the spindlebolt has a lock that mechanically couples the spindle and the ski. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the ski can still rotate about the pivotaxis after being mechanically coupled to the spindle.
 10. A method ofadjusting the orientation of a snowmobile ski, the snowmobile ski havinga front end and a rear end, the snowmobile ski being mounted to aspindle at a pivot axis between the rear end and front end of the ski,the method comprising: removing a first bumper positioned between thespindle and a top surface of a ski, the first bumper having a firstabutment surface that prior to removing the first bumper contacts thespindle, the ski having a first orientation relative to a planar groundsurface when the first abutment surface contacts the spindle; installinga second bumper positioned between the spindle and a top surface of theski, the second bumper having a second abutment surface that wheninstalled contacts the spindle, the ski having a second orientationrelative the ground surface when the second abutment surface contactsthe spindle.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein, in the secondorientation a front end of the ski is further from the ground than inthe first orientation.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein in the secondorientation a rear end of the ski is closer to the ground than in thefirst orientation.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the pivot axis isprovided by an axis of rotation of a spindle bolt.
 14. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising the step of: inserting a spindle bolt intoan opening of the ski and an opening of the spindle after theinstallation of the second bumper to mechanically couple the ski to thespindle.
 15. A method of adjusting the orientation of a snowmobile ski,the snowmobile ski having a front end and a rear end, the snowmobile skibeing mounted to a spindle at a pivot axis between the rear end andfront end of the ski, the method comprising: removing a OEM bumperpositioned between a free end of the spindle and a ski body of thesnowmobile ski, the OEM bumper having a first abutment portionpositioned between the rear end of the ski and the pivot axis prior toremoving the OEM bumper that contacts the spindle, the ski having afirst orientation wherein the front end of the ski has a first anglerelative to the planar ground and the rear end of the ski has a firstangle relative to the planar ground; installing a replacement bumperpositioned between the free end of the spindle and the ski body of theski, the replacement bumper having a second abutment portion positionedbetween the rear end of the ski and the pivot axis when installed thatcontacts the spindle, the ski having a second orientation wherein thefront end of the ski has a second angle relative to the planar groundand the rear end of the ski has a second angle relative to the planarground, wherein in the second orientation the angle between the frontend of the ski and the planar ground is greater than in the firstorientation; and wherein in the first orientation the angle between therear end of the ski and the planar ground is greater than in the secondorientation.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: the ski body has abumper mounting surface on which a first mounting surface of the OEMbumper rests when installed, the first abutment portion defining a firstcontact surface that contacts the spindle at a location between the rearend of the ski and the pivot axis, the first contact surface beingoriented at a first angle relative to the mounting surface; thereplacement bumper having a second mounting surface which rests on thebumper mounting surface when installed, the second abutment portiondefining a second contact surface that contacts the spindle at alocation between the rear end of the ski and the pivot axis wheninstalled, the second contact surface being oriented at a second anglerelative to the mounting surface; and wherein the second angle is lessthan the first angle.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein theinstillation of the replacement bumper changes an orientation betweenthe front end of the ski and the rear end of the ski by between 1 and 45degrees.